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Press at Pembroke, US, VA
Press

In The Spotlight

Heidi Stone, our President and CEO since 2013, has transformed Mountain Lake Lodge into an award-winning destination. Just over 35 years ago, "Dirty Dancing" showcased our resort and the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In 2018, Stone was named Hotelier of the Year, and the lodge earned Hotel of the Year by the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association. Chairman Bob Donovan credits Stone's vision and business acumen for revitalizing the resort, turning it from a neglected outpost into a pristine jewel of the Blue Ridge.

Decades of Excellence

Stone has over three decades of service in the hospitality sector and her resume indicates her ability to drive the business. Stone worked as the Sales and Marketing Director at the prestigious four-star High Peaks Resort at Lake Placid for half a decade. She created the sales and marketing department from thin air - and during the economic downturn of 2010, the resort saw a 30 percent increase in business.

Diverse Collaborations

In the past, Stone has worked with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, professional meeting planners, a who's who of the entertainment and sports world across the globe. By far, Stone's biggest professional milestone was hosting Eureka Productions and Lionsgate Television for the reality mini-series "Real Dirty Dancing" that was featured across the country on FOX.

Foundation And Mentorship

Stone came from upstate NY and earned her academic credentials at SUNY. She got her start in the hotel business early working the front desk at a local hotel when she was a high school student. Stone credits her manager at the local hotel for the investment he made in her as a mentor teaching everything there is to know about the hotel business. At Mountain Lake Lodge, Stone practices what her former manager preached, and she mentors staff to be the best they can be.

May 29, 2023 People Magazine

"25 Things to do, eat, & see" By Sonal Dutt

May 8, 2023 Virginia Living

"Virginia Living Is Thrilled To Announce Its Twelfth Annual Best Of Virginia Issue"

April 4, 2023 Convention South

"Virginia's Mountain Lake Lodge Offers Adventuresome Travelers Plenty To Do"

November 24, 2022 Escape Magazine Australia

"I Had The Time Of My Life At Mountain Lake Lodge, Where Dirty Dancing Was Filmed" By Kara Murphy

November 3, 2022 Florida Today

"Virginia Resort Is Still 'Dirty Dancing" 35 Years Later" By Maria Sonnenberg

November 3, 2022 Richmond Times Dispatch

"Virginia's Mountain Lake Lodge Opens ‘Dirty Dancing' Retail And Online Shop" By Colleen Curran

September 30, 2022 7Jours France

"On A Visite La Pension De Dirty Dancing" By Malik Cocherel

September 24, 2022 Explore Travel Australia

"Have The Time Of Your Life At Dirty Dancing's Kellerman's Mountain House" Ivy Carruth

September 17, 2022 Yahoo! Japan

"Chef Mike Porterfield's Pot Roast Recipe" By Michiko Ono Amsden

September 8, 2022 The Wall Street Journal

"Fans Keep Attempting The Famous ‘Dirty Dancing' Lift Scene. ‘I Almost Dropped Her."  By James Fanelli

August 28, 2022 Roanoke Times

"Business Intel: Salt Pond Pub" By Alicia Petska

August 23, 2022 Texas Lifestyle Magazine

"Dirty Dancing Turns 35 At Mountain Lake Lodge, Virginia. Go Have 'The Time Of Your Life!'" By Marika Flatt

August 1, 2022 Old Town Crier

"Mountain Lake Lodge… More Than Just The Home Of Dirty Dancing" By Bob Tagert

July 29, 2022 The Washington Post

"In Virginia, A Weekend Full Of 'Dirty Dancing'" By Andrea Sachs

July 4, 2022 Celebrity Parents Magazine

"Stay At Mountain Lake Lodge For The Time Of Your Life - Literally" 

June 26, 2022 Sweet Sauce

"My Dirty Dancing Weekend At Mountain Lake Lodge" By Megan Wilson

March 21, 2022 Samantha Brown's Places To Love

"6 Classic Resorts That Deliver On Relaxation And Adventure"

March 9, 2022 News10

"Escape To ‘Dirty Dancing' Faux-Catskills Resort For Time Of Your Life" By Cassie Hudson

Feb. 6, 2022 Fox News

"Stay At The 'Dirty Dancing' Hotel 35 Years After The Film Debuted" By Genevieve Shaw-Brown

Jan. 31, 2022 Travel & Leisure

"You Can Experience The ‘Dirty Dancing' Hotel In Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains For The Movies' 35th Anniversary" By Rachel Chang

Jan. 31, 2022 Richmond Times Dispatch

"‘The Real Dirty Dancing Competition,' A New Reality TV Series Filmed At Virginia's Mountain Lake Lodge, Premiers On Fox This Week" By Colleen Curra

Oct 9, 2024 Magical Christmas at Mountain Lake Lodge Set for 11/23 to 1/4

Premiere holiday attraction includes shopping, live entertainment, life-size gingerbread house, the Pinecone Express, ice-skating and more.

June 7, 2024 Mountain Lake Lodge Dirty Dancing Days

Summer Festival Set for August 16 and 17, for The Time of Your Life

May 10, 2024 New Giles County Trail Center At Mountain Lake Lodge

Gateway To Magnificent Southwest Virginia Outdoors, Opens To Visitors

March 4, 2024 Virginia's Mountain Lake Lodge

Welcomes Acclaimed Executive Chef Stephen DeMarco

December 12, 2023 Virginia's Mountain Lake Lodge

To Become Year-Round Destination

November 14, 2023 Southwestern Virginia Welcomes New Holiday Attraction

'Magical Christmas Village & Marketplace' At Mountain Lake Lodge

October 2, 2023 Virginia's Mountain Lake Lodge

To Debut Month-Long 'Magical Christmas Village & Marketplace' Holiday Spectacular

August 3, 2023 Beat The Heat At This Summer's Coolest Escape

Virginia's Mountain Lake Lodge

May 15, 2023 Salt Pond Pub At Mountain Lake Lodge

Kicks Off Summer 2023 With Memorial Day Weekend Party; ‘Sunday Mountain Music Series' Begins May 28 To The Tunes Of Ash Devine

May 9, 2023 Virginia's Mountain Lake Lodge Announces

‘Dirty Dancing Weekend' Schedule For 2024

March 31, 2023 Virginia's Mountain Lake Lodge Offers

Adventuresome Travelers Pristine Trails, Guided Tours, Breathtaking Views And Stargazing

December 7, 2022 Holiday Happenings

At Virginia's Mountain Lake Lodge

November 17, 2022 Saying ‘I Do' And Feeling On Top Of The World

At Mountain Lake Lodge In Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains

October 11, 2022 Virginia's Mountain Lake Lodge Debuts Official

‘Dirty Dancing' Retail Center, ‘Salt Pond Living' And More

August 8, 2022 Mountain Lake Lodge Debuts Salt Pond Pub

Newest Star On The Mountain

May 25, 2022 Summer Fun And Adventure Abound

At Mountain Lake Lodge For Family Time Together

March 17, 2022 Mountain Lake Lodge

Appoints Heidi Stone President And CEO; Executive Team Promotions Announced As Resort Continues Record-Setting Growth

January 27, 2022 Mountain Lake Lodge

Site Of Iconic ‘Dirty Dancing' Movie, Hosts FOX Celebrity ‘The Real Dirty Dancing' Competition Premiering Feb.1st